Stereotypes About Enterotype: the Old and New Ideas.
10.1016/j.gpb.2018.02.004
- Author:
Mingyue CHENG
1
;
Kang NING
2
Author Information
1. Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular-imaging, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
2. Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Molecular-imaging, Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China. Electronic address: ningkang@hust.edu.cn.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Biomarker;
Computational methods;
Continuity;
Enterotype;
Gut microbiome
- MeSH:
Adult;
Age Factors;
Aged;
Anti-Bacterial Agents;
pharmacology;
Child;
Diet;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome;
drug effects;
Humans;
Infant
- From:
Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics
2019;17(1):4-12
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
In 2011, the term "enterotype" first appeared to the general public in Nature, which refers to stratification of human gut microbiota. However, with more studies on enterotypes conducted nowadays, doubts about the existence and robustness of enterotypes have also emerged. Here we reviewed current opinions about enterotypes from both conceptual and analytical points of view. We firstly illustrated the definition of the enterotype and various factors influencing enterotypes, such as diet, administration of antibiotics, and age. Then we summarized lines of evidence that pose the concept against the enterotype, and described the current methods for enterotype analysis. Finally, we showed that the concept of enterotype has been extended to other ecological niches. Based on current studies on enterotypes, it has been clear that more studies with larger sample sizes are needed to characterize the enterotypes. Improved computational methods are also required to build sophisticated models, reflecting the dynamics and resilience of enterotypes.
